We have a new mature couple and could not be more thrilled. Clyde has a wonderful crow, Bonnie is just beautiful even if she does whine at being in a new place. The problem is the headpecking. Someone did it to Clyde and now Bonnie seems to be carrying it on. I sprayed Clyde's head with vetracin VF. Bonnie was almost taking another peck when she stopped as though she could tell there was something there she didn't like the taste of at all. We were wondering if spraying the spot again at their bedtime and adding a little bit of Vaseline would also act as a deterrent. And I've already read all the posts concerning pecking and the various but insufficient remedies so let us not beat that horse all over again. Genie Princeton, Texas
As long as you're watching these new birds, when she goes for his head, holler "NO!" real loudly. It will startle her, and interrupt her intent. Keep repeating it until she focuses on something else. I've been doing this with my flock when I see picking. It's been remarkably effective.
Arwen also likes to enforce the "rules." (What she thinks are rules). Once she realizes that chickens have to stay in the yard I am hoping she will automatically herd them back to the house or "tell on them" with barking. She does this with the cat so I think I will be able to transfer the behavior to the chickens. ______________________ FSL: